Who uses a “Foam Cannon” for pressure washers?

[Dave O]

No foam cannon or pressure washer for me, only thing I've ever used the pressure washer for on my vehicles is the undercarriage with a undercarriage sprayer adapter.

I just use two buckets one for wheels and tires and lower plastics and another bucket for the painted surfaces, with a great garden both buckets I purchased from harbor freight for $7 for both of them that fit in the bottom of the bucket with indentations in them with holes so the grit falls through to the bottom of the bucket.

The foam cannon gently applies the foam like shaving cream no pressure then you can hand wash without a pressure washer

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[Toddman45]

The foam cannon gently applies the foam like shaving cream no pressure then you can hand wash without a pressure washer

Yes I know what they do I have no use to roll out a pressure washer connected to the hose and all that crap just adds way more work for something so simple.

I mean I could see if you went off-roading or mudding but...

 

[Sig-vicious]

No foam cannon or pressure washer for me, only thing I've ever used the pressure washer for on my vehicles is the undercarriage with a undercarriage sprayer adapter.

I just use two buckets one for wheels and tires and lower plastics and another bucket for the painted surfaces, with a great garden both buckets I purchased from harbor freight for $7 for both of them that fit in the bottom of the bucket with indentations in them with holes so the grit falls through to the bottom of the bucket.

I have the same grit guards, plus their free buckets. Pro tip on the wheels, do them first. Can take your time and not worry about the rest of the car drying. Then dump that bucket, make a new bucket with a new pad/mitt and do the rest of the vehicle.

 

[Headbanger]

Yes, I use one, but for the motorhome, not the Mav. It’s so easy to soap it up and use a long hand brush. The Mav is hand washed the old fashioned way.

 

[Toddman45]

I have the same grit guards, plus their free buckets. Pro tip on the wheels, do them first. Can take your time and not worry about the rest of the car drying. Then dump that bucket, make a new bucket with a new pad/mitt and do the rest of the vehicle.

Yeah, I know how to do it been washing cars for nearly three decades now. Lol.

I even have a fancy cushioned cleaning chair with buckets and utensils under it with off-road wheels so I can sit comfortably, height adjustable as well.

 

[Dave O]

Yes, I use one, but for the motorhome, not the Mav. It’s so easy to soap it up and use a long hand brush. The Mav is hand washed the old fashioned way.

I purchased the foam cannon to wash my MotorCoach but I never use a brush on the paint on any of my vehicles but that’s just me nothing beats a soapy soft pad and some good ole elbow grease

 

[RRaynor2]

It's been said already, but foam cannons add steps, not eliminate them. They are "pre-wash", in that they get the big grit off your paint before you scrub so you don't grind it into the finish. I have a foam cannon and pressure washer. I love the setup.

1. Foam cannon and 5 minute soak (breaks the surface tension and grabs the dirt/grit)
2. Rinse (blows off the dirt/grit)
3. soap brush scrub (removes the fine, clingy dirt/grit)
4. Rinse
5. Dry

Takes about 45 minutes to do the entire truck start to finish and it looks great after. It's not any "cleaner" than without foam cannon, it just helps with a more effective pre-wash.

 

[dn325ci]

It's been said already, but foam cannons add steps, not eliminate them. They are "pre-wash", in that they get the big grit off your paint before you scrub so you don't grind it into the finish. I have a foam cannon and pressure washer. I love the setup.

1. Foam cannon and 5 minute soak (breaks the surface tension and grabs the dirt/grit)
2. Rinse (blows off the dirt/grit)
3. soap brush scrub (removes the fine, clingy dirt/grit)
4. Rinse
5. Dry

Takes about 45 minutes to do the entire truck start to finish and it looks great after. It's not any "cleaner" than without foam cannon, it just helps with a more effective pre-wash.

I'm closer to this, but less time. I love clean cars and I like to do it myself, so over a few years I keep refining and investing in a process to get it down to 15 -20 minutes in most cases, sometimes less.

A big time saver is a de-ionizer in front of the electric PW - no drying. I can wash in direct sunlight, let it dry in direct sunlight, and there are zero water spots. Also, no set up or teardown. Electric PW and hose reel are mounted inside door of garage, and I wash about 10 feet outside.

I have 3 different wash processes, basically depending on the level of dirt, but 80%+ of my washes, the car is not crazy dirty - it's more of a maintenance wash. So I do this:

1. Pre-rinse with electric PW - get the bugs off and any other big bits. Hit the wheels and wheel wells, too. 3-5 mins.
2. Foam cannon half or the whole vehicle. Use a great foam soap and let it sit for a couple mins to let it break down the dirt. 5 mins.
3. With that big thick blanket of high-lubricity soap, go over it starting from top to bottom with a microfiber mitt. Turn the mitt a lot. Keep a mitt rinse bucket close. 5 mins.
4. Rinse with electric PW and let it air dry or drive dry. 5 mins.

My cars look great with that process. Sometimes I'll use a detail spray for a little extra shine. Usually not.

Sometimes I'll hit the front of the car with the electric PW / de-ionized water after getting home from a drive, to keep the bugs from drying on the front.

 

[RRaynor2]

I'm closer to this, but less time. I love clean cars and I like to do it myself, so over a few years I keep refining and investing in a process to get it down to 15 -20 minutes in most cases, sometimes less.

A big time saver is a de-ionizer in front of the electric PW - no drying. I can wash in direct sunlight, let it dry in direct sunlight, and there are zero water spots. Also, no set up or teardown. Electric PW and hose reel are mounted inside door of garage, and I wash about 10 feet outside.

I have 3 different wash processes, basically depending on the level of dirt, but 80%+ of my washes, the car is not crazy dirty - it's more of a maintenance wash. So I do this:

1. Pre-rinse with electric PW - get the bugs off and any other big bits. Hit the wheels and wheel wells, too. 3-5 mins.
2. Foam cannon half or the whole vehicle. Use a great foam soap and let it sit for a couple mins to let it break down the dirt. 5 mins.
3. With that big thick blanket of high-lubricity soap, go over it starting from top to bottom with a microfiber mitt. Turn the mitt a lot. Keep a mitt rinse bucket close. 5 mins.
4. Rinse with electric PW and let it air dry or drive dry. 5 mins.

My cars look great with that process. Sometimes I'll use a detail spray for a little extra shine. Usually not.

Sometimes I'll hit the front of the car with the electric PW / de-ionized water after getting home from a drive, to keep the bugs from drying on the front.

This is an interesting process. I will research deionizers. The drying takes half the entire time so if I could eliminate that step I'd be happy.

 

[PlantMan]

My SunJoe pressure washer has a soap reservoir built-in, so no real need for an external soap dispenser. I wash my trucks once a year whether they need it or not.

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